Chapter 24
Nikolai’s POV:
“Are you absolutely insane? How dare you get married without even telling your father?!”
I rolled my eyes as we all sat together eating dinner, Dmitri not even paying attention to the conversation as he furiously scrolled through his phone. He’d been jittery the moment he’d walked in, and I knew exactly why. Because he couldn’t reach her Elena hadn’t been home in days, staying with her mother at the hospital. She hadn’t gone to university or any of her jobs, and this idiot didn’t have the faintest idea where else to look.
Sometimes I genuinely wondered how he could possibly be my brother. But then I remembered that he was in this position BECAUSE he was my brother.
I’d always been curious about where I got my eidetic memory. It couldn’t have been from our mother–she wasn’t particularly intelligent. And Father? Ha. Let’s not even go there. Neither of them had ever displayed any impressive traits. Since one was an immigrant and the other an only child of a now–decrased millionaire, I had no other relatives to compare myself to.
My looks, however, were clearly from my mother. Thank God. My father stood at a stunted five foot eight, had a receding hairline, and frankly, I‘ couldn’t even stomach the idea of inheriting any more of his features. So I supposed I should be thankful that my mother was at least clever yenough to marry into money.
With my mother’s beauty and my father’s fortune, I was practically born with a silver spoon in my mouth. A blessing and a curse, depending on the day
“I haven’t gotten married yet. I’m inviting you to my wedding,” I reiterated calmly.
“Which is tomorrow?!” Father bellowed again, his face a furious shade of crimson. He looked one insult away from having a full–blown heart attack. Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded if he did–at least that would mean he couldn’t attend the wedding. But I had an image to maintain, and uninviting my own father would be frowned upon.
Maybe this was karma for making Elena suffer
Had her mother started talking to her again? When Id called Elena that morning, she’d sounded a little better. Tired, but less tense. She hadn’t yelled at me again after the incident with the designer, at least.
When Alex had left, I’d hoped things would lighten up. But no, turns out she hadn’t told her mother the actual wedding date. That had ended in disaster.
And of course, she’d gotten mad at me.
Still, she’d called the next morning to apologize, which was something I hadn’t expected but appreciated. I wasn’t mad at her outburst. If anything, I found it oddly endearing. She wasn’t the kind of woman who opened up easily, and it made me feel like I was the only one who got to see her that raw. That vulnerable.
She wasn’t shy. Just guarded. Private. And yet she had trusted me with her anger, her embarrassment, her fears
It felt special. Dangerous ever
“Well, it’s wedding”
ΓΗΣ
like I didn’t tell you to clear your schedule a week ago. It’s not as if you have any planning to do,” I said smoothly. “Since it’s my
My father jabbed a finger in my direction, practically spitting with rage. “You unfilial scum–you-
“Alright, alright, let’s just relax.” Dmitri’s mother cut in, her syrupy voice grating. “I’m sure Niko had his reasons
My jaw tightened. “That’s Nikolai to you.”
“Don’t be rude!” my father upped
“Well, Niko,” she clued, deliberately ignoring me, “who is the girl anyway? You haven’t even introduced her to us.”
“There’s no need. You can meet
eet her at the wedding.”
My father cursed under his breath. “How long have you even known her! I imagine it must be one of those whore-”
“Don’t be crude, Father,” I said coldly, curting him off. Tve known her long enough. She’s the perfect match for me. As for your other questions, those can wait until the wedding. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date.”
I stood, wiping my hands carefully on a napkin and tossing it onto the table. My father glared at me like he wanted to throw something. I returned his stare with a calm smile,
1/2
Chapter 24
phone but I turned to Dmitri on my way out. The poor fool hadn’t looked up from his phone once, came to her.
I knew he was listening. He always listened when it
“Give Elena my regards, would you?” I said sweetly, just loud enough for him to hear.
8:40 PM
He stiffened but didn’t reply. I didn’t expect him to.
As I walked out and got into my car, I pulled out my phone and dialed her number.
“Good evening. Malishka. You ready for our date!”
There was a brief pause, and 1 instantly recognized the echo. She had me on speaker.
“What dater” Her voice was husky, groggy. She’d probably been asleep. Still, it made me smile.
-The date I asked you about this morning.” I said.
“Didn’t I tell you I’m not leaving Mom alone! She’s been upset and isn’t eating well.”
My smile faded slightly.
\“Alright,” I said softly. “Then we won’t go out on a date”
She yawned. “Yeah. And isn’t the wedding tomorrow? Why a wedding
1 chuckled. “You believe in that stuff?”
are you calling me? It’s bad karma for the bride and groom to talk or meet before the
“Of course not Mom does, and I’m listening to everything she’s saying right now,”
I smirked. “Well then, what would your mother’s thoughts he on a family gathering?”
She paused “Whose family?”
“Yours. Well, technically just the two of us and your mum. She can be our chaperone. She’s able to get around now, right? We can take a wheelchair
“Definitely NOT!” her mother’s voice rang out from the background. I winced, though I kept smiling.
“What’s mother dearest’s favorite food?” I asked.
There was a long pause.
“A–are you talking about my mom?” Elena sounded flustered
I laughed quietly.
“Well, my mom isn’t in this world anymore… so of course your hum will become ours, right?”
The melodramatic dead–mother card. Worked every time.
d
